“Would be wonderful” American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson discusses returning to the show as a mentor 

On season three of American Idol, 21 years after her shocking dismissal in seventh place, EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson has stated her desire to make a full comeback. On May 7, 2025, Hudson revealed her ideas about probably participating in the renowned singing competition that started her career, this time as a mentor rather than a contestant, in an intimate interview with Parade magazine.

"American Idol would be wonderful because I think it'd be cool for the contestants to have people who have once been in their shoes," said Jennifer.

The Grammy-winning vocalist believes her journey from elimination night tears to Hollywood success uniquely positions her to guide aspiring singers. This perspective comes after Hudson previously served as a coach on rival singing competition The Voice from 2017 to 2019.

Her potential return would follow the footsteps of other successful alumni like Carrie Underwood, who participated as a mentor during season 23, creating a meaningful connection between the show's past contestants and its future stars.

Jennifer Hudson’s journey from American Idol contestant to possible mentor

The journey of Jennifer Hudson on American Idol started in April 2004 during Season 3. Even though her powerful voice astounded audiences, she unexpectedly finished in the bottom two alongside eventual winner Fantasia Barrino. However, what appeared to be a setback ended up serving as the springboard for an incredible career.

Hudson didn’t just bounce back, she soared. She went on to achieve the rare and coveted EGOT status, picking up an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony along the way. Her Oscar-winning role as Effie White in Dreamgirls cemented her as a force far beyond the Idol stage.

Looking back, Hudson says her experience with the show’s emotional highs and lows gives her a deep understanding of what contestants today go through.

“Right after I was eliminated, I used to get jitters and be like, ‘Why am I so nervous?’ And it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s Wednesday, elimination days,’” she shared in a recent Parade interview.

Declaring, thoughtfully:

“But it’s been some time, so not as much [anymore].”

Although she hasn’t officially returned to the Idol stage, Hudson still keeps close ties to the franchise. In 2022, she discovered contestant Gabby Samone on Instagram and invited her onto The Jennifer Hudson Show.

When Gabby advanced in the competition, Hudson sent a heartfelt video congratulating her, proof that she hasn’t forgotten where she came from and is still cheering on the next generation of dreamers.

Jennifer Hudson’s legacy of perseverance

Hudson marked the 20th anniversary of her elimination last year with an inspirational Instagram post that encapsulated her philosophy on setbacks.

"Never give up on your dreams, yal! If I can do it, so can u! If it's not worth working hard for, it's not worth it at all!" she wrote, encouraging followers to persist despite obstacles.

This message of resilience represents exactly what Hudson could offer as a mentor, providing ample proof that elimination doesn't equal failure, but can instead be the beginning of an extraordinary journey.

As American Idol develops further, bringing back accomplished former contestants like Hudson would produce impactful full-circle moments that strengthen the program's heritage while giving competitors guidance from those with firsthand knowledge of the experience.

Regardless of whether Hudson's comes back to American Idol or not, her readiness to talk about her experience shows how much the competition has impacted her life and how she could influence the upcoming generation of vocal sensations hoping to emulate her extraordinary career.

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You can watch American Idol Season 23 live on ABC every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with new episodes available for streaming the next day on Hulu.